2. ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE…
HIS ACTS BEING SEVEN AGES
AT FIRST, THE INFANT, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms
While I worked towards the
completion of my basic
education I was heavily
overcome by passion for the
stage. In these years I have
done all that came my way in
the world of theatre. Starting
with managing props
backstage to producing
shows in their entirety.
This experience helped me
get a taste of a wide array of
skill sets and their
application. My biggest
learning from this phase was
“Learn by doing.”
After having travelled to
Scotland with one of my
productions I returned to
India to pursue the same in
Bombay where I was offered
my first real job at
Fountainhead Events and
Promotions Pvt. Ltd.
My interest in theatre is now
limited to being a part of
productions in technical and
creative capacities to take a
break from life otherwise.
3. IF ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE
HOW Does one PLAY A ROLE…
know your lines, exits & entries.
I joined FH as a Junior Creative
Executive. In the first month of
the job I was exposed to the
various pitches in which the
company was involved.
With the good fortune of a strong
mentor and an excellent team I
was thrown into the deep end, for
the next two years I swam with
no intention to look back. Within 2
years I had gotten 3 salary hikes
and 2 promotions. While the
scope of my work remained the
same – to make presentations
that effectively communicate an
idea across all mediums - my
approach changed as I learnt how
to do the same thing better with
each passing day.
In these two years I was able to
put together coherent marketing
plans for several solutions
required by all FH clients.
Well versed with the role of
creative in Created Business (IPs),
Brand Solutions, Brand Launches,
Media Planning, Events, Digital &
Social Media & MICE – I began to
strive to use my new skill kitty!
4. A change in role
eMBRACING CHANGE.
2013
(IPs, Retail, Marketing / PR)
I spent the next few months
making best of an opportunity
with Imagica – India’s first
entertainment theme park.
My role there was to creatively
script all the live shows and art
direct the performances and live
interactions that the consumer
would have at the theme park. In
addition to this I was also involved
with creation of infrastructure for
an entertainment section. Together
with the team I was given, I
curated performances, refined
signage around the park, executed
the Press Launches & created
maintenance plans for all
infrastructure created.
After the park was open and
running well there was no fresh
creative input required, it was all
in the scope of operations.
I tried to work at the same but lost
interest, so I decided to move on.
5. 2013-2014 - Freelance/Startup
By the end of my job at Imagica I had decided to pick up a motorcycle and ride to
wherever I had made friends in my journey so far. After a couple of months of
travelling across Rajasthan & Goa I decided to do a few more plays before I got
back to work. While working on a comedy titled, “He Says, She Says” I was
offered several quick gigs in the sphere of digital, social, events & IP pitches. I
decided to freelance as a creative consultant and not look for a job for some time.
While at it one of my clients recommended me to the CEO at Percept ICE and I
took up the role of heading the concept department there.
This was one of the most challenging jobs I had taken up in my life so far –
creatively servicing accounts ranging from Pan Vilas all the way to Jaguar Land
Rover – the experience was priceless. With a small team of just 3 and a
turnaround requirement of 2 briefs a day drove the whole team crazy. The whole
team quit and decided to move on owing to salary issues. The same week I was
offered a brand new opportunity with the Times of India Group.
6. 2014-2015 - INTEGRATED MEDIA
The opportunity at the Times Group
was an eye-opener. It was an
excellent playground for me to
demonstrate my talent and work on
the most important projects within
my division.
My role there refined me further in
what I want to do with my
professional life. My focus on the
need for superior creative work was
stronger than ever before.
As a professional I would like to
keep growing in the world of brands.
My approach is very idea centric and
channel neutral - No matter what the
medium may be the brand story
should display efficacy across any
medium.
Experience and Digital marketing
are the most popular mediums for
marketing today and have captured
my interest.
I am open to doing things that
challenge my imagination and skill
set.
My aim then, was to land an
international award for my work in
the next 5 years and I went into my
next assignment with that mindset.
7. 2015-2017 - recognition over revenue
I joined Edelman’s experiential arm
CREAM Events (2015) with the
mandate to integrate Experiential
into Edelman’s heavily PR based
services.
We were a small creative team and I
was the single Strategy and Ideation
resource across Mumbai, Bangalore
& Delhi.
My skills for proactive pitching
helped me have a successful stint at
CREAM that was full of challenges
and great triumphs- including a
promotion and best performance
status.
My approach of ‘learn by doing’
helped me gain further insight into
leadership roles & earned media
centric approach.
Some of the key projects executed
while I was at CREAM, specially in
the direction of Edelman offering
integrated services:
- Tata Coffee’s Instant Coffee Launch
- Creation of Bosch’s Beyond
Mobility IP
- Launch of the new Porsche 911
- An experiential campaign for
Suzlon’s select 200 top investors
I also invented a new service
offering - Leadership Theatrics /
SMART Presentations.
8. 2017-NOW - openEdelman decided to exit the
experiential business in India.
In April 2017, my ex-boss and I, we
were still looking for work and
wanted to try and do it together
since we had enjoyed working with
each other a lot.
We were also receiving a few
queries from client relationships we
had built.
We decided to start OPEN Brand
Experiences, a experiential
consultancy, while we look for work.
At OPEN, we have managed to bag a
small retainer client and are pitching
for opportunities when they come
our way.
I am currently engaged in servicing
OPEN’s PR retainer-client and we
have executed a project for Gulf Oil,
and a large conference for JSW
Steel.
My interests still lie at the
intersection of culture, creativity &
technology. While there is a strong
set of skills I have built I feel the
need to learn more to do more for
brands.
Currently I am OPEN to opportunities
where I can further my ideation and
pitching skills - while stepping
slowly into a leadership role.
9. OTHER DETAILS
Education & Training:
2006 - 2009
B. Sc. Mass Communication
(With Video Production)
St. Xavier’s College Kolkata
Languages:
Well versed in English, Hindi & Bangla
Job Related Skills:
Strategy & Ideation. Presentations. Video.
Conceptor. Having fun. Pitching with fervour.
Computer Skills:
I can use my computer skills to create indicative
mood boards / story boards.
Proficient user of Mac & PC
Software known well - Word, Keynote, PowerPoint,
Quark Express, Final Draft, Adobe Premiere Pro
Basic knowledge of Software - FCP, Publisher,
Excel, Illustrator, Photoshop
References:
Head of Concept Department, FH
Warren D’Sylva 9820025165
warren@theentco.in
Has fair assessment of my capabilities.
MD - CREAM Events, My partner at OPEN
zarif@openbrandexperiences.com
Zarif Tapia 9821319649
Has a great understanding of my work.
11. BUDWEISER ACTIVATIONS PLAN
Brief: To make Budweiser Bandra’s favourite beer.
Idea: Bandra’s BUD - A loyalty / benefit programme which introduces Budweiser
at all the ‘Bandra-Based’ touch-points.
12. WATERSTONES HOTEL relaunch
Brief: To relaunch the property by highlighting its newly done interior design.
Idea: Interior design based on Elements of Nature - Springboard from there to create
an experience, use each of the 7 sections as a venue for one of the courses of a 7
course meal - A Gastronomical Journey though the property
13. SMIRNOFF 3D DISCO
Brief: To create at IP around 3D Disco
Idea: Smirnoff Red House / A technologic party
14. HISTORY CHANNEL LAUNCH
Brief: To curate a launch show for History Channel / Revamp.
Idea: To showcase the content at a PR-able launch using Salman Khan.
15. Polaris stall at auto expo
Brief: To create a section at the Auto Expo which gives exposure to Polaris ATVs &
Motorcycles in India.
Idea: To create 2 distinct areas - Garage & Terrain which are native to the products.
16. MTV Style awards Revival
Brief: To show direct the return of the MTV Style Awards along with Thematics.
Idea: Trending RAW. - A concept based on social influencers & changing concept
of fashion.
19. A GLIMPSE INTO MY WORK
SEPT 2013 - August 2014
freelance / indépendant
20. VW Polo Drive Experience
Brief: To create a drive experience for the car journalist community.
Idea: Sport the Power - A scenic route with apt touchpoints to highlight the main
features of the car which the journalist community should be writing about.
21. THE STORY OF SPRINT / REDKNEE
Brief: An innovative communication vehicle to share the story of project Sprint
with employees.
Idea: Animation + Voice Over. Use a presentation in flash along with dramatics.
22. credai youth
Brief: Create an annual networking property for CREDAI Youth.
Idea: CUBE - An engaging networking opportunity.
23. SHAPERS SANITARY NAPKINS
Brief: To generate awareness about product targeting all audiences.
Idea: Shape Up With Shapers - Women’s well being based properties across TA.
24. NOM NOM
Brief: Create a weekly / monthly IP around Japanese Drink Sake
Idea: Sake Bomb Nights.
25. THE BIKER DIARIES
Brief: Create a TV show concept for Biking Enthusiasts.
Idea: The Biker Diaries.
26. SANCHO’s
Brief: Create a weekly / monthly IP for Mexican Food Restaurant.
Idea: La Banda Nights.
27. Brief DOCUMENT
As the head of the concept department I created a brief taking document to make
it easier for the creative resources to decode the brief.
28. HOW TO INCREASE CREATIVE OUTPUT
I presented a plan to increase qualitative and quantitative output of the team.
29. A GLIMPSE INTO MY WORK
SEPT 2014 - AUG 2015
Times of India - integrated
30. EPIC CHANNEL
Brief: Strategic approach for positioning & creative ideas for spike in ratings.
Idea: Born in India. Born Epic.
31. HUL - CONTENT DAY SHORTLIST IDEA
Brief: To increase affinity for the brand y creating entertainment based content.
Idea: Nayi Shuruat Ki Pehli Chai - An opportunity for Red Label to be there for
Nayi Shuruats.
32. DIAGEO ROAD TO SAFETY
Brief: To create a relevant extension for ongoing campaign which helps Diageo
take credit for the phenomenal work it has done in the field of Road Safety (CSR).
Idea: Create conversation around Road Safety Signs and engage the masses.
33. Nightlife aggregator app / ip
Proactive idea pitched to in-house team that looks into startups & technology.
34. A GLIMPSE INTO MY WORK
AUG 2015 - Jan 2017
edelman / CREAM EVENTS
35. bosch / jabong / suzlon
Bosch IP (Knowledge Exchange Platform) targeted at Media & B2B.
Art & Light based concept helps Jabong launch lifestyle brands differently.
Award Winning Experience for Suzlon - creating a stronger positioning, TG: Investors
Built a content based specialty service to create distinction for individuals in leadership positions.
37. DCD / GULF OIL
DCD is now our PR retainer client and we’re making in-roads into their event work.
We created a campaign where MSD was GULF Oils CEO for a day. This activity was
conduct to renew the employees faith in their brand ambassador & to boost morale.
